If you or a loved one is suffering from a neuropsychiatric disorder or illness like clinical depression, an eating or sleep disorder, or dementia, visiting a doctor at a neuropsychiatric hospital could be incredibly helpful. Nursing homes, emergency rooms, and assisted living facilities may not be well equipped to deal with such patients or be out of their depth in caring for these patients. A doctor at a neuropsychiatric hospital like those in the system of NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals is better equipped to care for you or your loved one. We work collaboratively with psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists, and medical doctors to create a holistic approach to your care. We want to heal both the body and the mind and are incredibly thorough with each patient, using intensive and specialized services if necessary.

What’s the Need?
Anxiety, depression, and eating and mood disorders seem to abound in today’s society. About 15 million people have a social anxiety disorder and anxiety disorders are actually the most common mental illness in the United States. It affects around 40 million people over the age of 18 — that’s almost 20% of the population. And despite anxiety being quite treatable, around two-thirds of adults never seek treatment. These people are also six times more likely to be hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder than those who do not suffer from anxiety.

Depression is another huge issue — the number of patients who receive a depression diagnosis goes up by around 20% annually. Yet, over 80% of those who display symptoms of clinical depression aren’t receiving help. Women are especially at risk; they’re 70% more likely than men to have a depressive episode at some point during their lifetime.

Dementia and Parkinson’s disease are neuropsychiatric worries for the elderly. Between seven and 10 million people all across the world have Parkinson’s disease and almost 48 million have dementia. About 60,000 Americans receive a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and a new case of dementia is identified every four seconds. Sadly, over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and the rate is now at one in three seniors who will die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

What Does Neuropsychiatry Do That Psychiatric Care Can’t?
Neuropsychiatry deals with mental disorders that stem from diseases of the nervous system, blending the practices (in many cases) of neurology and psychiatry. They can often take a more innovative approach that targets the real “why” and “how” of a disease and may be able to offer more targeted care to the patient.

Neuropsychiatrists also focus in on the abnormalities of the areas of the body that have higher brain function and could be considered specialists on difficult-to-treat psychological or psychiatric issues.